Dinner

Dinner was excellent I felt very comfortable during dinner. Carly's family was easy to talk to. I didn't say much, but they were fun to listen to. I wondered if dinner was always this chatty. Even with a stranger at the table.
"So, Brain, what do you want us to know?" Mr. Smith said.
"I don't know. Um...I did graduate from high school. I don't know what to tell you? Maybe it would be better if you let me know what you want to know." This didn't sound good, but I feel I don't know what is interesting enough to tell my future in-laws.
"Tell us about your family, where did you grow up? Those kinds of things." This was from Melinda.
"I grew up in Apple Valley. It's a little town of 5 hours north of here. My family still lives there. My mom is manager of the family store. My Dad ran it until he died 3 years ago. He died of a heart attack. The ambulance got him to hospital and stabilised. They flew him to the medical center, but he died while in surgery. We all took it pretty hard. I can't speak for the rest of the family, but I made my peace with God. When I think about him I chuckle. He use to pull these faces at me and siblings. He use to do it when we were trying to be mad, but he could always make us smile. He coached my baseball team when I was in little league. My older brother and I played on the same team. He always made it to my games. I played through high school. He was seemed to make to my away games as well." All the females were wiping tears from their cheeks and eyes. "I didn't mean to turn this into a crying fest. I love my Dad. Sometimes I feel like he's looking over my shoulder. He use to do that when he was alive, but it never felt like he was doing it to make sure whatever I was doing right. He always seemed interested in my projects, whatever they were. He may have been doing to make sure I understood what I was doing. If I could explain it to him then I knew what I was talking about, even though thing sometimes wouldn't work out the way I thought they should."
I sat silent for a moment. The Smiths let me sit in my quiet. Even Mike was quiet, which surprised me considering his age.
"I played baseball for the high school team. Oh, I already told you that. I played trumpet in the band. We had a small band, but it was a lot of fun. Especially jazz band. My junior year our band director took us to a recording studio. We recorded 4 songs. It was totally awesome. Oh, sorry. I'm getting a bit carried away."
"Your fine we love hearing it." Melinda said.
"Carly I think your Dad and sibs need to hear about how you and Brian got engaged."
"This ought to be good." Juli said. "Carly has been hiding Brian for however long. Carly I thought you and I were like best friends, but no you hide things from me."
"Jules, it's nothing like that. If you'd hush I'd tell you."
Carly began her story. She even let me add some detail. Juli had to pick her jaw up off the floor. Melinda's cried again. Mike, well he's a teenage boy. Carly's Dad was the hardest to decide what he was thinking. He just listened calmly.
"Juli, we knew and know what took place was right. We wanted to get use the idea of being together and didn't really need to hear all of the comments about or nay-sayers our story.
"We've seen Sully at the park a couple of times. He's doing well. He still jokes about our engagement."
While telling our story Carly was not bashful about holding my hand and leaning against me. I love how comfortable she feels.
"Brian, I do not understand what Carly and you do for work, but form what I do know, I can't imagine anyone do that for a career." This question came from Carly's Dad. I started chuckling. Carly's Dad looked offended, but I held up my hand to show that I would explain.
"I said that very thing to Carly last week. And you are so right. I've not taken the opportunity to go to school yet. I spent the last 3 or so years working in the store. However, if I'd like to be an airline pilot."
"Cool. Do you have your license?" Mike said in awe.
"Not yet. I've only been on a ride with a friend of mine. I really enjoyed it." I replied.
"Mike, Brian, and Jules, will you help me with the dishes?" Carly asked, but mostly told. I helped. Carly's parents sat in the living room talking. I wish I could hear more of their conversation. I'm not worried about what her parents think of me, but it would be nice to know.
The day had gone better than I had expected. I hope next week would be just as easy for Carly.
We ended our day with a walk. It felt good to be away from our corner of the world and the stress that comes with it.
I am always amazed at how many more stars I can see when in smaller towns. I understand how it works, but it still amazes me.